No amount of alcohol is safe for your overall health, according to a global study published in the journal The Lancet and funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. For some time, a common belief has been that one or two drinks a day can lower the risk of heart disease and diabetes. This may be true in isolated circumstances but, overall, road injuries – notably, drunk driving accidents – were one of the top causes of premature death worldwide between the ages of 15 and 49.
Auto Accidents on Labor Day Weekend
As Labor Day weekend approaches, DUI checkpoints will be heavy, as they should be. High-visibility law enforcement has been shown to reduce drunk driving fatalities by almost 20 percent. Nevertheless, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), over 750 people died in drunk driving accidents between 2010 and 2014 during the Labor Day holiday.
Plenty of people use this long weekend as a last hurrah before summer ends and cooler temps kick in. Unfortunately, far too many drivers get behind the wheel after a few celebratory or relaxing drinks. The risk of auto accidents increases exponentially, especially for drivers of a certain age.
The time between Memorial Day and Labor Day has been tagged “The 100 Deadliest Days” for teen drivers, for many reasons. Teens have too much free time, not enough driving experience, and are incredibly distracted by smartphone use. And, sadly, teens are drinking at younger ages.
Assessing Your Risk of Being in a Drunk Driving Accident
The NHTSA reports than almost 29 people in the United States die in alcohol-related auto accidents every day. Drunk-driving crashes claim over 10,000 lives annually at a cost of $44 billion per year.
It doesn’t have to be Labor Day or another holiday or long weekend for you to determine your own most dangerous days to drive on the road. If you drink and drive, your risk of being in a crash increases.
It’s also necessary to consider the actions of others – you can control your own behavior, but another motorist’s negligence and choice to drink and drive can impact your life too. Mothers Against Drunk Driving report that the average drunk driver manages to get behind the wheel 80 times before their first arrest.
The Consequences of Driving While Intoxicated
There is far more that could happen when driving drunk than getting in a fender bender. Driving while intoxicated (DWI or DUI) is a crime. Drunk driving laws allow for punishments including:
- Misdemeanors
- Felony offenses
- Loss of driver’s license
- Hefty fines
- Jail time
- Ignition interlock devices
If you have been a victim of a drunk driving accident or lost a loved one because of another driver’s negligence, contact Thurswell Law for a free consultation. Our vehicle accident attorneys have the experience to get you the compensation you deserve. We do not charge any fees unless you collect. Call (248) 354-2222 today to schedule your consultation.
